Giant duck entrance fees ruffling feathers in Shanghai

Artist Florentijn Hofman’s worst fear has come to life, his giant rubber duck creation is turning into a giant sell-out. During the duck’s much ballyhooed residency in Shanghai’s Century Park, park officials plan to quadruple the park’s admission fee, according to Shanghai DailyThis has given people a lot to quack about. The duck was free to see in Hong Kong, and while it was on display at the Summer Palace the admission fee stayed the same. Here in Shanghai, however, the usual 10 RMB fee has soared to 40 RMB. Families may decide they prefer eating a real roast duck over taking pictures of a giant inflatable one.Park officials said that the price increase is justified since they are also holding a month-long cultural program that features another 14 exhibitions. Chen Jie, from the park’s marketing department, said they considered charging a separate fee to enter the exhibitions. “But people would complain if their enjoyment of the park’s environment and facilities was reduced,” Chen said. “Therefore, we decided to increase the park entry price and allow all visitors to see all the exhibitions, cover our costs and make it fair.”Come and see the Eighth Wonder of the World in Century Park’s Jingtian Lake from October 23rd until November 23rd before it’s too late.by Alex Linder